Ironman Arizona : Official Thread (Page 51)

I look at it sort of how I looked at deciding when I was ready to have kids.  Once I understood that I would never truly be ready, then I figured I was as ready as I could be.

Ok so for those who live in Arizona, whats temp like as the day progresses.....for example whats the temp at the beginning of swim, and beginning of bike and run.  Today I had a battle with the cold and wind here in NJ and it beat me today, it was sooo cold and the crosswinds were blowing me everywhere and the head wind just defeated me, after 2 hour I had to call it, I was shivering it was so cold. the temp here was 42 degrees, but witht he wind it felt colder

So got me thinking will I be dealing with type of cold when I get out of the water and onto the early stages of the bike......any thoughts?

Temps were PERFECT on Beeline Hwy this morning.  Low 60's at about 7am, then it warmed up nicely into the low 70's for the bulk of the 65mi ride.  Winds were lighter than last week, slight cross/head wind going uphill, but it made the downhill a breeze and lightning fast.

If we have weather like this on Nov 18, everyone is going to LOVE they day.

Have been reading last year's race reports - pretty helpful in showing you what to expect, and good reading, anyway:

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/training/races-search.asp?action=search&date=11%2F20%2F2011&country=&state=&name=Ironman+Arizona&org=&racetype=1&racesubtype=0&run=0&rununit=km&bike=0&bikeunit=km&swim=0&swimunit=meter

Some of them are making me worry even more about the cold water. Some of the women, especially the slower swimmers like me, had some problems with it. I did pick up a neoprene cap today at TriSports, and I have socks on order. There's a Splash & Dash there next Saturday, so I can try out the new gear.

Everyone's tips here are so great! I'm feeling a lot better about the race now.

For those who live locally, is there somewhere you would recommend that I could go to have someone kinesio tape my back? Or would people like that be at the expo Fri/Sat? Yesterday was my last long ride and I was having a little bit of pain and the tape has helped me in past 70.3 races.

reading your post made my heart rate go up.....haha

Yes, it's helped me a lot. During longer rides I can start to get tense in my low back which can then lead to a lot more back pain on the run. The tape made a big difference in keeping the tension and pain down. And you don't even notice that it's there so it's not like there's any downside to having it on. I've also used it on my shoulders when I was dealing with tendonitis flare ups and it helped a TON.

Did my last really long swim today; about 4700m up at Bartlett Lake...Super choppy, but the water was beautiful. Thermometer had it at about 70...I know TTL is typically slightly cooler, but not by much. On my way home I stopped and did one loop of the course...Finished in 1:17.

By the way, I wasn't sure if this had been posted yet, but here's the lake thermometer...Still at 69/70. I was in the water for a little over 1:34 and the only thing that started getting a little chilly was my head with one cap. So far, though, I'm thinking two caps is all I'll need. 

I have landed Arrived in Tempe and need a swim tomorrow.  Any advice on which LA fitness around here might be nicer and/or less crowded?  Proximity not too critical - I have a car.  Also, who wants to show a new guy the bike and/or run course on Tuesday?  Probably a lap of whichever.

Unfortunately all the LA Fitness pools I've been to have all been about the same...crap. The one that I go to, though, is not usually that busy. ( 2100 North Dobson Road, Chandler, AZ 85224) Also, if interested, there is a 3k Splash & Dash on the 10th that I'm doing. (minus the dash) I would be happy to show you both the run & bike course, but timing may be an issue. I won't be running the course tomorrow, but if you want to get on your bike and do a leisurely cruise around the course I could do that. I do have a 2-hour ride planned that I could do on the bike course, but since there isn't much lighting out there I'd have to see if I could get off work early...

Just let me know.

Does anyone know the exact address to the following:

Swim start

Ironman Village

If there not the same....Im staying near the airport...thanks

I get taped as well for the upper back/shoulder area.  Luckily for me, my ART doc is racing as well and said he would fix me up when we get there.  

Thanks for the info! Will be checking out that pool today after I do some shopping, and I do need to register for the splash.  A run isn't actually on my schedule and it'll be easy enough to figure that out on my own, but a tour guide for the bike would be awesome, if you can swing it.  My schedule is wide open so any time.  inboxing you my cel #. _Lloyd

I am not sure there really is an "address" for Tempe Beach Park.  However, if you Google Map Tempe Beach Park, Tempe, AZ, it should pinpoint you right at IM Village, right by the swim start.

Latest weather update.......

Temps this afternoon could reach low 90's, but will then dip into the low 70's for the rest of the week, with a chance of clouds and rain this Saturday.  This happened last year as well, as temps dropped significantly the week + before the race.

Tempe Town Lake water temp should drop into the 60's in the next few days, and remain there through race weekend.  If the weather patterns hold, we will have low 60's water temp (normal) and low 70's as the high air temp on race weekend.